When all these circumstances are taken into consideration, it is impossible for your committee to doubt the motives which have governed the British ministry in all its measures towards the United States since the year 1805. Equally is it impossible to doubt, longer, the course which the United States ought to pursue towards Great Britain.

From this view of the multiplied wrongs of the British government since the commencement of the present war, it must be evident to the impartial world, that the contest which is now forced on the United States, is radically a contest for their sovereignty and independence. Your committee will not enlarge on any of the injuries, however great, which have had a transitory effect. They wish to call the attention of the house to those of a permanent nature only, which intrench so deeply on our most important rights, and wound so extensively and vitally our best interests, as could not fail to deprive the United States of the principal advantages of their revolution, if submitted to. The controul of our commerce by Great Britain, in regulating at pleasure and expelling it almost from the ocean; the oppressive manner in which these regulations have been carried into effect, by seizing and confiscating such of our vessels with their cargoes, as were said to have violated her edicts, often without previous warning of their danger; the impressment of our citizens from on board our own vessels, on the high seas, and elsewhere, and holding them in bondage until it suited the convenience of their oppressors to deliver them up, are encroachments of that high and dangerous tendency which could not fail to produce that pernicious effect, nor would these be the only consequences that would result from it. The British government might, for a while, be satisfied with the ascendency thus gained over us, but its pretensions would soon increase. The proof, which so complete and disgraceful a submission to its authority would afford of our degeneracy, could not fail to inspire confidence that there was no limit to which its usurpations and our degradation might not be carried.

Your committee believing that the free born sons of America are worthy to enjoy the liberty which their fathers purchased at the price of so much blood and treasure, and seeing, in the measures adopted by Great Britain, a course commenced and persisted in, which must lead to a loss of national character and independence, feel no hesitation in advising resistance by force, in which the Americans of the present day, will prove to the enemy and to the world, that we have not only inherited that liberty which our fathers gave us, but also the wILL and POWER to maintain it. Relying on the patriotism of the nation, and confidently trusting that the Lord of Hosts will go with us to battle in a righteous cause, and crown our efforts with successyour committee recommend an immediate appeal to Arms.

AN ACT,

Declaring War between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the dependencies thereof, and the United States of America and their territories.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That War be, and the same is hereby declared to exist between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the dependencies thereof, and the United States of America and their territories; and that the President of the United States be, and he is hereby authorized to use the whole land and naval force of the United States to carry the same into effect, and to issue to private armed vessels of the United States commissions or letters of marque and general reprisal, in such form as he shall think proper, and under the seal of the United States, against the vessels, goods and effects of the government of the same United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the subjects thereof.

June 18, 1812.

APPROVED,

JAMES MADISON.

On the passage of the preceding Act, the vote, in the House of Representatives was as follows, viz.

IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

New-Hampshire-Samuel Dinsmoor, Virginia-Burwell Bassett, William Obed Hall, John A. Harper, 3.

A. Burwell, John Clopton, John Massachusetts-Francis Carr, Isaiah Dawson, Thomas Gholson, Peterson L. Green, William M. Richardson, Eb-Goodwyn, Aylett Hawes, William enezer Seaver, Charles Turner, jun. William Widgery, 6. Rhode-Island-None. Connecticut-None.

Vermont-James Fisk, Saml. Shaw, William Strong, 3.

M'Coy, Hugh Nelson, Thomas Newton, James Pleasants, jr. John Roane, John Smith, John Taliaferro, 14.

North-Carolina-Willis Alston, jr. William Blackledge, James Cochran, William R. King, Nathaniel Macon,

New-York-Daniel Avery, Benja-Israel Pickens, 6. min Pond, Ebenezer Sage, 3.

South-Carolina-Wm. Butler, John

New-Jersey-Lewis Condict, James C. Calhoun, Langdon Cheves, Elias Morgan, 2. Earle, William Lowndes, Thomas Pennsylvania-William Anderson, Moore, David R. Williams, Richard David Bard, Robert Brown, William Winn, 8.

Crawford, Roger Davis, William Find- Georgia-William W. Bibb, Bolley, John M. Hyneman, Abner La-ling Hall, George M. Troup, 3. cock, Joseph Lefevre, Aaron Lyle, William Piper, Jonathan Roberts, Adam Seybert, John Smilie, George Smith, Robert Whitehill, 16.

Delaware-None.

Maryland-Stevenson Archer, Joseph Kent, Peter Little, Alexr. M‘Kim, Saml. Ringgold, Robt. Wright, 6.

"Kentucky-Joseph Desha, Richard M. Johnson, Samuel M'Kee, Anthony New, Stephen Ormsby, 5.

Tennessee-Felix Grundy, John Rhea, John Sevier, 3.

Ohio Jeremiah Morrow, 1.

YEAS, 79.

Virginia-Richard Brent, William B. Delaware-James A. Bayard, Outer

DECLARATION OF WAR ANNOUNCED.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS the Congress of the United States, by virtue of the constituted authority vested in them, have decided by their act, bearing date the eighteenth day of the present month, that war exists between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the dependencies thereof, and the United States of America and their territories: Now therefore, I, JAMES MADISON, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the same to all whom it may concern; and I do especially enjoin on all persons holding offices, civil or military, under the authority of the United States, that they be vigilant and zealous in discharging the duties respectively incident thereto; and I do moreover exhort all the good people of the United States, as they love their country; as they value the precious heritage derived from the virtue and valor of their fathers; as they feel the wrongs which have forced on them the last resort of injured nations; and as they consult the best means, under the blessings of Divine Providence, of abridging its calamities; that they exert themselves in preserving order, in promoting concord, in maintaining the authority and the efficacy of the laws, and in supporting and invigorating all the measures which may be adopted by the constituted authorities, for obtaining a speedy, a just, and an honourable peace.

SEAL

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed to these presents. Done at the city of Washington, the nineteenth day of June, one thousand eight hundred and twelve, and of the Independence of the United States the thirtysixth.

By the President,

JAMES MADISON.

JAMES MONROE,

Secretary of State.